"Futures studies is a new field of inquiry involving systematic and explicit thinking about alternative futures. It aims to demystify the future, make possibilities for the future more known to us, and increase human control over the future." (Wendall Bell in Foundations of Futures Studies)

3)If the futures studies class is included in the exisiting
curriculum of the established academic fields, what should
be taught in an semester?

You might want to Futures Studies methods to explore critical issues in the particular academic field. What futures are possible? probable? plausible? preferrable?

4)Is it possible to organize a Ph.D course in the futures studies
(not a part of other academic departments)?

Not only is it possible, it is preferable, in a world characterized by ever accelerating change where "concern with ethics, morality, and human values follows directly from futurist purposes of discovering or inventing, examining, and proposing desirable futures" (Wendall Bell in Foundations of Futures Studies, vol. 2)

The Technology Source (http://ts.mivu.org) is a peer refereed e-journal that focuses on the problems, issues, challenges, and opportunities afforded by infomation tools to enhance education. We have a vision section that focuses on the future. We welcome manuscripts from futurists for this section.

Distance Learning Classes and Programs

Please fill in with links/info to existing programs. I think that U. of Houston at Clear Lake is beginning a web-based future studies program. Details about that would be most useful here.